All the mail below can be found in it's entirety in the unorganized by subject but organized by receipt section at the index of "Owners Mail".

I recently purchased a 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab V6 and my mileage both on the highway (19) and in town (15-16)has been less than impressive, especially considering the V6. How many miles are you getting to the gallon and do you have any suggestions on how I might improve my mileage?
Thanks, Cynthia

I have my Quad Cab about a month now and was wondering what kind of mileage other people have been getting with the 4.7 liter engine. Whether I tow, drive 'gently',or drive aggressively I seem to be getting between 12-14 mpg. Never higher! I have read some articles and comments that lead me to believe that the mpg is greatly exaggerated at 14-19 on the window sticker. Do you have any thoughts on this.
thanks
Ernie

Hi Nick, my name is Gary. I am very happy with my 2 WD, 4.7L automatic, Positraction, Quad except for one thing. Poor gas mileage 11 to be exact. I am interested in how poor the rest of your readers mileage is. I took it back to the dealer and they told be to bring it
back at 5,000 miles. I agree with you that break in is very important on the life expectancy of an engine and how often and how you service it. But after a few thousand miles I believe its pretty much settled in. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to watching your site grow. Thank you.

I recently purchased a 2001 Quad Cab 4x4 with the 4.7 engine. I too felt that the sticker reflected the best mileage available for the truck in a 4x4 model. In three weeks, I have put on almost 2000 miles. (A long trip to Kansas and back really added to that figure.)

The first thing I noticed was the computer average MPG was not accurate until I figured out how they are getting that average. Watch how much that increases when you go down a hill with your foot off the accelorator. They are averaging all averages to get that figure, kind of misleading. Also, maybe that is how they figure those high MPG they advertise. But wait. On the trip back from Kansas, I filled up in Wichita. After driving over 400 miles and getting home, Just as I pulled into town did the fuel light come on, indicating I had between 3 and 4 gallons left. Figuring the miles driven and the amount of gas I purchased, my Quad Cab got 19.998 mpg. I figure this will improve when broken in at the 5000 mark, but still pretty good compared to what others are getting. I have not dropped below 15.8 yet.

Randy
2001 Dakota Quad Cab
Silvermist Metalic Clear Coat.

 

Nick , My name is Chuck and our family also has a new Quad Cab Dakota with 4.7. Just reading on chats here and there on mileage from 4.7 . Seems like everyone has thumbs down on getting great mileage but most expecting like you said - on the high number on ratings. For your data if want to pass info along or just useless info here is my one true mileage test- never checked mileage until had 1700 miles on truck (changed oil at 500 and 1500 miles). Hooked on to covered two place snowmobile trailer with two sleds inside- its like pulling a small camper 8x 10 . Drove 200 miles in weather around -5F to + 5F with light wind and got 10 mpg driving 72 on interstate then 55 - 67 off interstate but slowing for small towns on return trip drove under 70mph on interstate but had to buck a cold wind and got 11.2 mpg.This has auto and had overdrive off each way - engine breaking in but sometimes mileage varies with the gas up here in the North Dakota area- and also have to change oil often due to condensation in the oil from short trips in sub zero weather (which we been having since got vehicle)

Bye Chuck

 

I purchased my Dakota Quad October 2000. This is my third Dakota. I owned two Extended Cab SLT 4X4's. First a 1992 and then a 1995.

 

As far as mileage. About 14-15 right in line with the sticker, But I have less than 4000 miles on it. I too did not buy the truck for gas mileage but I do believe after break in it will improve somewhat.

 

A great truck that I enjoy driving each day.
Bill

Goes without saying, I knew the 5.9 V8 wouldn't be the most economical truck I've ever owned.... Although, I will say that Dodge has dramatically exaggerated (Hwy/City) fuel efficiency claims.

It's easy to boast about the things we like about OUR truck. Although, it's not very responsible to criticize features we don't like...when most of us at least looked at the truck before we bought it.

However, fuel efficiency claims made by Dodge are not responsible, nor are they substantiated. In my way of thinking….. Each Dakota owner should be reimbursed
the difference between fuel claims (made by Dodge) and the actual (MPG) averaged throughout the warrantee period.

Perhaps the “fuel” test truck drove thousands of miles, down hill in neutral? Just a thought. Estimated Miles Per Gallon: 10.2

M.H.

Check the front page for the last update date.

By the way, my name is Nick, you can email me by clicking this => Mail